Laker Elementary

Laker Elementary in Pigeon, MI, serves approximately 418 students in grades K-5 as part of the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools district, and it stands out as a solid, mid-tier performer in Michigan's Thumb region with a notable emphasis on getting kids to school every day.

One of the school's biggest strengths is attendance. Only 9.6% of students are chronically absent, which is dramatically better than the state average of 27.9% and far ahead of nearby OwendaleGagetown Elementary School, where that rate is 40%. This consistency likely fuels academic gains, especially in early math. Third and fourth graders score well above state averages in math (52.4% and 53.5% proficient, respectively), and 5th graders shine in social studies, with 44.3% proficiency versus 27.5% statewide. The school also does a remarkable job supporting students from lower-income households, who perform in the 66th-76th percentile statewide despite nearly half the student body qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

However, there are a few areas parents should watch. Math proficiency takes a noticeable dip by 5th grade, falling to 30.7%—just below the state average—which suggests a challenge in the upper-elementary transition. There's also an emerging gender gap, with female students ranking in the 69th percentile while male students have dropped to the 51st percentile. Additionally, 3rd-grade English Language Arts scores recently fell by nearly 15 points, and special education outcomes have been inconsistent from year to year. On the plus side, Laker achieves these results while spending less per student ($13,918) than nearby schools like Bad Axe Elementary School ($16,880) or Ubly Community Elementary School ($16,151), making it a cost-effective choice that still outperforms Bad Axe Middle School in overall state rankings.